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Ladies and gentlemen, at the age of 52 it is past time for me to get serious about planning/saving for an African hunt. I have been discussing this with a financial advisor who has asked me to give him an estimate of the total cost of a hunt, and of course this varies tremendously. The animals I am most interested in hunting are Cape buffalo, greater kudu, eland and oryx or gemsbok, but would love to take a zebra, impala, bushbuck, warthog, hyena etc. I would be prepared to save the Cape buffalo for a second trip in order to make the first one affordable and gain the experience. I'm not the least interested in a canned hunt or in shooting at anything from the back of a Land Rover, and I would rather stay home than end up hunting with an asshole, if you know what I mean. I've looked at the trophy fee schedules and daily hunt rates, and see they also vary tremendously -- from geez, I could probably afford that to there's no way I'll ever get to Africa. Complicating all this is a discussion I had with a chap here who has been over four times, the last with Russ Broom in December. He advised that end-of-season hunts can offer some excellent value if there are left-over animals on the outfitter's concession agreement, and possibly even the experience of participating in a cull. I guess what I am asking is whether I can do any of this for in the neighborhood of $8,000, including airfare and shipping home the skull/horns. If anyone has any advice, I would love to hear it. If anyone can suggest resources that help with figuring out the cost of a hunt, I would appreciate that, too. By the way, I just subscribed to African Hunter magazine. There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t. – John Green, author | ||
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I'm sure that your $8K budget can be met. Ranch hunts in RSA are far from "canned" when done with reputable operators, most of whom strongly frown on shooting from the back of the hunting car. Namibia is well-renowned for its budget hunts and, for those of adventurous nature, the wracked economy of Zimbabwe is "cheap" on today's market. Contact the various outfitters who contribute to this forum and I'm sure that some sort of deal can be worked out, though it won't include your buffalo on the first trip. No matter, I didn't get my first buff until the second trip, either. The second one almost got me! Sarge Holland's .375: One Planet, One Rifle . . . for one hundred years! | |||
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Bill, I am sure some of our friend who are in this business will answer you. But, I honestly think you will be hard pressed to enjoy the hunt you have mentioned for this sort of money. My advice is to wait another year, save a bit more money, and go on one safari where you can hunt the buffalo as well as the plains game you are after. That way you will be using the money you would have otherwise used for your second air ticket for the hunt. And you do not need to have a practice plains game hunt before you go after the buffalo either. And subscribing to the African Hunter magazine is great too. You will enjoy all the great articles they publish. I just got my latest copy, which has a very interesting article by our friend Ganyana about bullet penetration on elephants. | |||
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10-12K is a more realistic number for hunting a buff and the species you mentioned. Avg rates in Zim (comparably a not too-expensive country) are in the 800/day range. Most hunts are minimum 10-days, but you may be able to get a 7-day hunt. Assuming you do... (Of course, there are some deals to be found, but you can't "budget" on finding one.) 7x800= 5600 + 2K buff trophy fee = 7600 then you can plan on 2K in incidentals and shipping the trophies home = 9600.00 and that's assuming you only shoot a buff. add... 800 for a kudu 1000 for an eland 800 for zebra 200 for warthog and you can see how the 10K number quickly becomes 13K. PS - that does not include air fare.  If you simply have to go sooner than saving the full 13K, then the best advice I can give you is to book a good plains game hunt (in the 350/day range) and make sure you're the last hunt of the season. You'll pay for that in the weather (it'll be hotter) but you stand a better chance of picking up a buff (that someone didn't shoot on a previous hunt) for the same daily rate (or a negotiated, less-that-retail rate) plus the additional trophy fee. It's not a guarantee, but most will agree that "opportunities" abound in Africa... you just have to be there when they arise. | |||
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Bill, I would get an additional 4K and do buf, plains game all in one...Do 14 days and you probably get close to all wanted...Zim is the place to go I hunted with Tshabezi safaris and I shot a buf and bull ele with them, last summer... Take the plunge and book your Africa hunt...If you could make the Dallas safari club show in January you will be able to talk first hand with the Zim outfitters...I made my first at 52 again at 54, and will be in the Selous in the summer of 06 for my third having won the hunt here on AR... Mike | |||
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First if you have enough funds to require a financial advisor you have enough to do an inexpensive hunt in Namabia. You could do a nice 10 day ranch hunt for plains game for under your $8,000 budget with the shipping included, now taxidermy is another story. I have hunted RSA and Namabia 5 times (no old hand) and have taken only plains game, but I don't regret one minute. I am leaving in 3 weeks for Zim ann a Leopard/Buffalo hunt. I can concentrate on these animials and not be distracted by big Kudu - been there done that or a hugh Eland again BTDT. Just another point of view. | |||
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Bill: Skip the buff and you can do a quality hunt for all the plains game you listed in northern namibia with a great PH/owner on 700,000 acre conservacy, air included for under $6000 plus another 2k for air | |||
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As Die OU Jagter mentioned you can easily do a nice P/g hunt on 8k your taxidermy will definitely change the paradigm. | |||
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Bill, email me I'll send you my spreadsheet...I owuld recomend Namibia for the best combination of economy and a better safari experience. Mike Legistine actu quod scripsi? Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.  What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
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As stated by others, look at Namibia for the best bang for your buck. DC300 | |||
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Namibia is the place to go for an affordable and wild hunt. Kudu,$600, Oryx $400, Mountain Zebra $600, Eland $1250, Springbok $350, Steenbok $250. 14 days 1x1 at $165 a day $2210. Trophy fees $3450, Airfare $1800, Shipping skull/horns $1500 Total cost for a 14 day 1x1 hunt is aprox.$8960 My wife and hunted and toured last April Namibia for 21 days. We shot 3 Kudu,3 Springbok, 2 Steenbok, 2 Oryx, 1 Warthog, and a Hartman Zebra. Except for my wife's Kudu and my Warthog (shot for bait), all were gold medal class. The total cost for a first class hunt was $9573. Robert Johnson | |||
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Bill, Putting the words Africa and "on a budget" in the same sentence are a little difficult! But do not be deterred. Nevertheless, the costs can add up quickly. You will need willpower and restraint (especially in RSA and Namibia) as it is easy to rack up a large body count! Then comes the decision of what to have mounted. As I have little willpower I of course chose to have all of my trophies mounted (add'l $4k), add shipping ($1.3k) and customs broker ($400-$750). Tips (although optional and thoroughly debated on this forum) will/could run you $500 - $1,000. Then of course the requisite curios while you are there ($250-$$$$. If you are like me, you will convince yourself that your current battery is inadequate and that will result in 2 new rifles ($$$$$$$$$'s). You may be able to navigate around all of the land mines I set forth and be able to do your safari for the $8k, but that is just the beginning. For you will become an immediate junkie of the Dark Continent and there will not be another day that will go bye without thinking about your experience and dreaming/planning/"budgeting" for your next safari!!! Go for it! You will not be disappointed!!! | |||
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Bill If you are looking for a general budget expectation, which it seems you are then the RULE of THUMB for Southern Africa plains game ONLY hunting is $1000/per day per animal taken and will be ALL INCLUSIVE of the fares and dip and pack / Six animals - allow $6000 eight animala - allow $8000 Here is my advice ( for what it's worth ) Dont try to make a one price fit all options First decide the country you prefer to hunt in and then as close as humanly possible the full list of species you want, and then you will get a narrower band of options to mull over. Cape buff is another question entirely and that requires a whole new budget Just my thoughts Peter | |||
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My son and I hunted Namibia last July, booked through Mims Reed (Harry on AR) and had a great hunt with PH/ranch owner in Northern Namibia. Daily rates and trophy fees were very reasonable, hunt was fair chase stalking, hosts were great. We did skull mounts for everything but the gemsbok. We ran every thing we could through American Express (all my business travel) and did frequent flyer flights. I think you could about reproduce our trip within your budget. Bob | |||
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Please, just be irresponsible and just "Damn the torpedos... Full speed, ahead!" Sell everything except your soul, if you have to. Just go. You'll find the money for dangerous game in another year or two after your plains game experience. We all have. Namibia does sound as the least expensive alternative, at least for now, but don't write off some of the better RSA hunts. Ray Atkinson, Balla Balla and others who post here have very reasonably priced "packages" that include daily rate and five or so animals for your first trip to Africa. I've been lots of times to Africa, but just took my first trip to RSA last year with Pierr'e von Tonder (through Ray's booking) and was not in the least upset that the "ranch" was only 10,000 fenced acres, or so. Great, fair chase hunting, and not from a vehicle... some spotting therefrom, not ride up and shoot. I was taking a fellow who had never been to Africa and we did the RSA thing for five days prior to going to Zimbabwe for buffalo. It was a good break-in for him... and he, of course, got hooked and went to Tanzania with me earlier this month. Money is important, but will you live forever? Stuff happens like family illness, business reversals, etc. That may happen tomorrow, so just make up your mind and GO! NOW! The suggestions about saving on mounts by having trophies done in "skull" mounts is good. The look just fine on the wall. So, reach deeply in your pocket and do it. You'll never regret it, my friend. JudgeG ... just counting time 'til I am again finding balm in Gilead chilled out somewhere in the Selous. | |||
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As some have said, an old-fashioned, tented-camp, free-range, "wild Africa" plains game hunt can be had in Namibia for well within your budget. For buff and plains game, as others have said, you will need to go up a bit with your bottom line. It's up to you whether you want to break it into two trips or hold off, save up, and go for buff and plains game all at once. Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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An earlier post made the suggestion of European mounts for your trophies. This is excellent advise since taxidermy bills and the frieght costs associated with them really add up. If you have flexibility with your schedule, you could gamble on a cancellation hunt with a good bookiong agent. Do a search on recent cancellation posts and you will see what I mean. Good luck! Africa will change your life!! | |||
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See PM | |||
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Bill, My first safari was a 50th birthday present to myself. I went again at 53 and at 57. I'm going again at 59. I've spent too damned much money on guns that I could have better used on hunts. However, you really do need two, unless you already have a .375, in which case take it and don't ever buy anything else, no matter what the agonized superbore maniacs on this website scream. Don't have a .375? Got a .338? Unless you're really going to go for that buff on the first trip, go to Africa first and then buy something bigger for Mbogo. I don't like to go for eland with only a .30 cal even though thousands of the big antelope have been handily taken with them. Oryx can be tough, too, we've been told and zebra can be downright nasty. However, to the cool shot (whothehell can be cool on their first safari, I'd like to know, thank-you very much!) an '06 or .300 mag of some sort will do nicely. A .375 will do better but if you don't have one, don't buy it yet. Once the bug is in your blood, it's amazing what your budget can be stretched to fit! Sarge Holland's .375: One Planet, One Rifle . . . for one hundred years! | |||
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He speaks the truth   An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject. | |||
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I hunted with the same folks that bobc did last year and they would provide a great first experience for you. DC300 | |||
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Bill, what you are thinking about is within your budget. Yes, a 21 day full bag Tanzania adventure would be great, but for most of us, there are always limits. I suggest you talk to John LaSalla at http://www.africanhuntingadventures.com/ Don't just check out his web site, but give him a call. I found John to be very informative and honest. PM me if you want more information. Jim "Bwana Umfundi" NRA | |||
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I vote Namibia. 2X1 $200 day, Kudu $750, Oryx $420 etc. | |||
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I can send you on a plainsgame hunt in So. Afirca for $150 per day plus trophy fees.. I can send you to Tanzania for $10,550 2x1 or $12,550 1x1 plus $200 per gun...that includes everything for one buffalo...no other costs but your plane ticket there and motels before and/or after the hunt at your descretion..You may shoot a warthog, zebra, Impala, Nyasaland Wildebeest, L. Hartebeest for very reasonable trophy fees, as perscribed by Tanzania law for a 7 or 10 day hunt.... For more information contact me at the below address, but I am very near sold out for 2006. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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I was thrust into my first hunt in RSA unexpectedly, thanks to my wife! NO, really.... THANKS!!! Anyway, she had no idea what she was getting herself into financially, and I just "had" to take her along. I ended up having to borrow a little from my parents to complete the financing for the trip, but it made it so much more worthwhile. As soon as I get them paid off, I'm going to start saving for the next one! All I can say is that if you want to hunt Africa, you must find a way to do it! I ended up spending about $10K for 10 days and 10 trophies for both myself and my wife in RSA, not including airfare and taxidermy. The way I look at it is, that is a pretty affordable vacation for two people, halfway around the world, doing all that we did.  FIre Support Team | |||
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Thanks to Robert Johnson's excellent hunt results and report I'm booked with Okanduka Seibe in Namibia for next September. It's going to be a "bargain hunt" compared to my buffalo hunt in TZ this Sept. They're already fully booked for August '06 (I'm sure Jun/Jul also) and it's gonna get hot towards the end of Sept. But, for the price you've targeted, Namibia's the place. Robert! How about posting the link so he can check out your report? Dave "What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value." -Thomas Paine, "American Crisis" | |||
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Almostacowboy You will have a great time with Dirk. He is a nice guy. September will be very hot, but living in the Mojave you will be used to it. Make sure to tell Dirk what type of hunt you want. When I hunted with him I told him I wanted to spot and stalk all the animals I hunted, with my wife tracking was not that important to her. We had a great hunt ! Rita also likes to find out what foods you like desserts, soda. It makes it easier to plan all the meals. Remember they are 200 miles from a real grocery store. Call me some time and I will tell you everything I know about Dirks ranch. Robert 907-262-1416 Robert Johnson | |||
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judge...you are my hero, i got mists reading your post and i will quote you on the "sell every but your soul" 577 BME 3"500 KILL ALL 358 GREMLIN 404-375 *we band of 45-70ers* (Founder) Single Shot Shooters Society S.S.S.S. (Founder) | |||
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